Tenderness, beauty and constancy. Balsam New Guinea

Unlike other members of the family, the plant has big sizes, but compact flowers can also be found. The height of the bush reaches 30-50 cm. The fleshy leaves have a bright color, starting from bronze and ending with a dark green tint, a yellow middle. Their length is up to 10 cm, and their width is up to 5 cm. The presence of a strong stem of a reddish tint is also characteristic.

Large flowers with a diameter of 5-8 cm have correct forms, painted in different colors- from white to red. On one bush there can be monophonic, two-ton or terry inflorescences. At home, flowering can last 12 months.

After pollination, oblong boxes appear. When ripe, they become sensitive, if lightly touched, burst, throwing out seeds. Therefore, the plant is also called "touchy".

Basic indoor views

Brought out enough a large number of varieties. Each of them has its own characteristic height, leaf color, bud shape. Depending on the parameters, the following three groups are distinguished.

1. Compact undersized bushes up to 20 cm high. They have small flowers. Great for growing in pots on windowsills, in greenhouses.
2. Spreading flowers of medium size. They have the shape of a pyramid. Look very nice in hanging planters.
3. Powerful bushes up to 50 cm high. Differ upright shoots. In the interior, they are combined with other cultures, as they look poor alone. Especially good in massive flowerpots.

Table - indoor views New Guinea balsam

Name	Peculiarities
Harmony	- Branched bush of compact size; - large flowers one of 14 colors; - green to bronze leaves
Divaro	- Small bushes with strongly branching stems; - green leaves; - medium size flowers in 6 shades
Macarena	- Bronze-green leaves; - bright orange flowers
Jungle Rain	- Pastel colored flowers
Rainforest Exotic	- Flowers are painted in 2 tones
Sun Patiens Spreading White	- Compact bushes with variegated leaves; - medium sized white flowers

You can also give preference to the Java variety, which boasts a wide palette of flower shades. Or you can pay attention to the Mini Jini with abundant flowering.

Caring for New Guinea balsam: what to consider

Growing New Guinea balsam at home involves following a few simple rules. With the right approach, he will be healthy and beautiful.

Light and a better place

The hybrid loves light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Therefore, it is recommended to place it on the west or east side. It can stand even in dark places, but in this case the quantity and quality of flowering will suffer.

If New Guinea balsam does not bloom in autumn and winter, then it does not have enough daylight hours. Therefore, it should be extended to 14-16 hours. How to do it? Based on the reviews, an effective solution is the use of artificial light. There are special phytolamps that are absolutely safe for the “touchy”.

Poor lighting leads to the fact that the plant is strongly stretched. The barrel becomes brittle and may break off.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for the "Guinean friend" of gardeners is 18-24 ° C. In the summer, it is able to tolerate heat, but only under conditions of regular watering. The plant can be taken outside with the onset of spring. The main thing is that the difference between the temperature during the day and at night is 5-8 °C. At 12 ° C, the "touchy" dies.

Not only frosts and sharp temperature fluctuations, but also elementary drafts can destroy the plant. Therefore, when airing the room, it is better to clean the pot in a more comfortable, cozy place.

Humidity and watering

The humidity level should be 40-60%. In summer, in extreme heat, you can put an open container of water next to the "touchy". It is recommended to use a spray bottle several times a week. The plant is watered two to three times a week.

In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced to once every 15-20 days. with working central heating and dry microclimate, the plant needs additional spraying. Used filtered or boiled warm water. The procedure is performed in the morning and evening hours. You can increase the humidity level by using a pallet into which pebbles or expanded clay are poured.

Although the balsam endures all adversity, it is not worth acting on the principle of “It is better to overfill than underfill”. You need to moisten the soil regularly in small portions, which will help to avoid stagnant water. The main sign of excessive watering is the formation of green moss on the surface of the soil. With an insufficient amount of it, the “touchy” withers.

It is not recommended to use tap water. Lime and other substances weaken the plant, lead to alkalization of the soil. Even rain or melt water is used, but previously settled or filtered.

Soil and top dressing

The soil should be moderately nutritious, loose and light. Acidity (pH) within 5.8-6.2. You can use ready-made substrate for home cultures from the store. There must be a layer of drainage. If you prepare the soil yourself, then the following components will do:

• leaf land;
• humus;
• sand.

They are taken in equal parts and mixed until a homogeneous mass. Vermiculite, expanded clay chips can be added to the finished mixture.

During the flowering period, the "touchy" is fed with mineral complexes of low concentration every two weeks. In winter, you can completely refuse additional food. Convenient and easy to feed the plant, if you use liquid products diluted in water for irrigation. It is recommended to give preference to complexes with great content potassium and phosphorus.

Fertilizer with nitrogen promotes the active development of green mass, but leads to poor flowering. Therefore, it is better to use it no more than once a year.

Pinching and transplanting

Pruning is not worth doing, as it will lead to the appearance of thick and ugly "stumps". Only young tops are pinched once every one and a half to two years. In principle, the hybrid independently forms perfectly nice shape. The exception is the Harmony variety, which needs pruning.

Deciding to transplant the "touchy", gardener Special attention devotes to choosing a pot. The capacity is selected in size slightly larger than the previous option. It should completely cover the roots and be tight. This approach will provide balsam with lush and abundant flowering. The plant does not have a dormant period, so it is transplanted at any time every year. But it is still recommended to choose early spring. The procedure is carried out in six stages.

1. A few hours before transplanting, we moisten the soil well.
2. We are preparing a new soil for New Guinean balsam.
3. We extract the plant and shake the earth from the roots.
4. In a new container, we prepare a layer of drainage and soil, place a bush on top.
5. We close the roots, lightly tamp.
6. Pour in a small amount of water.

Those who are just learning how to care for New Guinea balsam in a pot should remember that when transplanting, it is imperative to carefully examine the roots. Dead, aged roots are removed. Rotting areas are trimmed with a sharp knife. Damaged areas are treated with ash.

Reproduction methods

"Handy" propagated by cuttings or seeds. The first method is the most popular, as it allows you to save everything decorative properties and maternal characteristics.

Vegetative

Peculiarities . Propagation of New Guinea balsam by cuttings is carried out in spring or early summer. Young plants are best planted in flowerpots 9-12 cm in size. Two weeks after the procedure, the cuttings will take root. Flowering can be expected in 60-90 days.

Procedure

1. With a sharp knife, cut off the top of the shoot with three internodes.
2. A cutting 8-11 cm long is placed in a pot with peat and sand, which are mixed in equal portions.
3. To quickly root the New Guinean balsam, the flowerpots are covered with polyethylene - a greenhouse effect is created.

If you organize the care of New Guinean balsam after purchase, then cuttings should be planned only after two to three years.

seeds

Peculiarities. Sow seeds in February or March in peat land. Seedlings can be planted only when their height is 4 cm. Two leaves are required. Flowering can be expected in 85-120 days.

Procedure

1. Previously, the seeds are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate for ten minutes.
2. After sowing, the soil is moistened, covered with a film.
3. Place the seed container in a warm place with good lighting.
4. Two weeks later, when shoots appear, the film is removed.

Possible problems

In most cases, plant diseases are the consequences of improper care. Below are the main ailments, problems and why they appear.

• Drooped leaves. Most likely, the temperature is elevated and there is not enough moisture in the soil. Water the "touchy" more often, gently ventilate the room.
• Leaves turn yellow, dry and fall. Lots of moisture and low temperatures. Put the pot in more warm place and adjust the frequency of watering.
• Flowers and buds fall off. Or they don't show up at all. Not enough light, dry and hot air. Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations, do not overfeed. Place the flowerpot in a well-lit area.
• Leaves do not grow and turn pale. Pot size not correct. The problem appears due to lack of recharge and light. Transplant the "touchy" into a large container, providing good lighting and regular top dressing.
• The leaves are curling. The plant is in cold and damp. Move it to a warm and drier place.
• Weak flowering. Wrong nutrition. Reduce the dosage of fertilizers containing nitrogen.
• Light spots on the leaves. The plant received sunburn or sprayed with hard water. Place the pot out of direct sunlight, use only filtered water for watering.

"Handy" often suffers from fungal rot - root, gray. Common manifestations of diseases are the appearance of plaque, softening and wilting of leaves, stems. Resuscitation of the plant: the affected areas are removed, the sections are treated with ash or activated carbon. Fungicides such as "Maxima", "Fundazol" are effective.

Pests

Often, pests appear only when the conditions for keeping the plant are not met. If the air in the room is dry, then there is a high probability of injury spider mite. He entangles the "touchy" with cobwebs and sucks the juice from the plant. Thrips often appear. With a weak lesion, balsam is sprayed with alcohol or soapy water. If there are a lot of pests, then a ready-made insecticidal composition will help.

You can observe how small white flies appear on the "touchy" -. Folk remedies won't help here. Treatment is best done with drugs. An adhesive tape from insects, which is hung near the flower, helps.

Varieties that have light colored flowers are less resistant to disease than other species.

When admiring the New Guinea green friend, do not forget to periodically inspect the leaves for insects. Pay attention to the soil and make sure there is no green moss. How to care for New Guinea balsam so that it “thanks” with lush and long flowering? Enough to pay attention to him. And then in room conditions he can live up to five years.

Balsam or Touchy is a large genus belonging to the Balzamin family. It includes about 500 species of both annuals and perennials. This guest came to us from the tropical regions of Asia and Africa.

General information

Balsam shoots are low, but branch well. The foliage is green, often with a reddish or bronze sheen. If indoors high humidity, drops of water form at the ends of the leaves, which is why the people also call balsam Vanka-wet.

Due to its beautiful small bushes, Impatiens is often grown as ampelous plant. Balsam flowers are axillary. Their coloration differs in different varieties, and in addition they are variegated, dotted with dots or stripes. Varieties with double flowers have been bred.

The balsam flower is small in size and usually has bright color, which gave rise to the name "light". Species diversity balsams is very large, so we will mention only a few of them.

Species and varieties

This is an annual. Used in traditional medicine. How garden plant not grown because it does not have sufficient attractiveness. Poisonous, so be careful.

Or ferruginous annual plant with a high massive stem. The foliage is oval-lanceolate. The flowers are large, purple.

Balsam Waller (Wallera) quite high (grows up to 60 cm) perennial. The foliage is petiolate, the central vein is red. The flowers are pink, but the color of the varietal plants is different.

This species is a hybrid. It has thickened stems, whorled foliage, and large flowers. From this species, in turn, many varieties and hybrid species have been created.

Balsam home care

Balsams are not problematic in growing, but it is worth knowing some rules for caring for them at home. Impatiens can be grown in any part of the house, but in order for it to bloom a lot, you need to provide bright diffused lighting for several hours a day.

Impatiens grow best in partial shade, to which certain time day the sun turns. Growing temperature does not play a big role. The main thing is that in winter it does not fall below 13 ° C.

Balsam watering and humidity

Humidity is also not a key factor in the growth of balsam, but if the room becomes too dry, then the flower begins to suffer and its lower leaves fall off.

Balsams are very fond of moisture. They need a lot of water. In the summer, the soil in the pot should always be wet. In winter, excess moisture should not be allowed, as the plant will rot.

Fertilizer for balsams

During the growing season, balsam requires additional nutrients in the form of fertilizers. About once every ten days, feed the touchy with mineral fertilizers.

During budding and flowering, do not use nitrogen supplements. At this time, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are preferred.

With the advent of autumn, you no longer need to feed balsams. This break lasts until spring. Also, diseased plants and those that have recently been transplanted are not fertilized.

Balsam transplant

After the purchase, after a couple of weeks, you will need to transplant the touchy, but do not rush too much so that he gets used to the conditions of your apartment. These flowers love small pots that will only slightly exceed the size of their rhizome.

The soil is preferred to weak acidity. In general, it does not matter what the composition will be, the main thing is that it be nutritious and loose. You can mix leafy soil with sand and peat, or you can mix turf soil with humus, compost and perlite.

If the plant has begun to lose the lower leaves and does not bloom, then this may be a signal for aging and the need for a transplant. Young plants can quickly braid the entire pot and will require several transplants in one year. You need to perform the procedure quickly so that the roots do not have time to dry.

Balsam pruning

To improve the appearance of the bush, the balsam must be cut. In the spring, too long branches are cut, but they do it not at once, but gradually, so as not to cause unnecessary stress to the plant.

The top and tips of the shoots are pinched to enhance branching.

How to save balsam in winter

If you prepare suitable conditions for balsam, then it can bloom even in winter. For this in winter period it is necessary to install phytolamps, water the flower and maintain a warm temperature.

In order for the plant to bloom in winter, it will need top dressing, but they can be applied no more than once a month.

With a decrease in daylight hours, the leaves will gradually fall off. The temperature must be maintained around 16 ° C. Spray the flower occasionally and water.

But even with these rules, the plant may begin to die. In this case, the old individual can no longer be saved and it is better to use it for cuttings.

Due to the heavy transfer of winter, it is believed that balsams do not live long. Often, gardeners do not leave old individuals at all, and even in the fall they cut cuttings from them to obtain young plants.

Balsam propagation by cuttings

Impatiens can be propagated by cuttings and seeds.

The first is usually used, due to the fact that balsam often disappears in winter. The apical cuttings are cut off so that their length is about 10 cm. Rooting is carried out in perlite, water, wet sand.

With the formation of roots, the material is planted in the soil and in a couple of months it will be ready for flowering.

Garden balsam growing from seeds

Most commonly propagated by seeds garden balsam. Seeds are sown in moist soil, the composition of which is not fundamental, and covered with oilcloth.

When shoots appear, they are gradually hardened, accustomed to external environment. In the future, they will reproduce by self-seeding.

Diseases and pests

• With balsam, a number of problems can arise. For example, if he has falling buds or flowers , then this indicates too dry soil or air.
• No flowering observed with an excess of nitrogen fertilizers or growing in a large pot. It is also possible that the soil is depleted or your balsam is too old to bloom.
• leaf fall occurs with any violation of care, whether it is a lack of light or too much watering. It also happens with aging.
• If touchy fades , then it may be that its roots have rotted, or vice versa - there is not enough moisture. Depending on what time of the year she began to wither.
• Yellowing and drying of foliage occurs when the humidity is too low.
• The pest that causes drying and curling of leaves , is a spider mite that sucks plant juices.
• Also leaves may curl because of drafts.

Flower growers could enjoy the beauty of New Guinean balsam only from the second half of the twentieth century. Compact bush, abundant flowering, various colors - all this made the flower extremely popular. He appeared on balconies, window sills, in hanging baskets on the walls and in gazebos. country houses. What should flower growers do who want to place New Guinean balsam on the windowsill?

History and types of decorative culture

The variety was obtained by crossing the tropical balsam Impatiens hawkeri and other species of this plant. Balsam New Guinea differs from its counterparts

• powerful anthocyanin stems from thirty centimeters to half a meter high;
• large flowers, white, pink, red, lilac, burgundy, orange, one-color or two-color.

Since the New Guinean balsam is a hybrid, it is able to maintain its qualitative characteristics only when cuttings. The plant can be cultivated in open field(as an annual).

According to the shape of the bush, the following groups of balsams are distinguished:

Plants of the first group have compact bushes with short internodes and medium-sized flowers. More suitable for growing indoors. For example, the SunPatiens Compact series.

Balsams of the second group are distinguished by sprawling bushes resembling bumps. The flowers are getting bigger. Grouped in the center of the leaf mass. "Hanging" balsams look good in baskets and large pots on the patio. For example, the SunPatiens Spreading White series.

Ornamental plants of the third group are tall bushes with large flowers. The stems can reach ninety centimeters. Giant balsams are planted in large pots and placed in those places where their vertical bush will be visible.

How to grow

Growing care at home for a plant is not a complicated process. You can plant it in rooms or on balconies. Heat-loving balsams in areas with temperate climate can be planted in a flower bed. But the flower will behave like an annual.

Planting a cutting

If you purchase a cutting or seedling of New Guinea balsam, carefully inspect the plant. Young balsams are very sensitive to waterlogging and low temperatures. Therefore, they are prone to infection with gray rot.

The stalk of a healthy plant has juicy and elastic leaves and stem, without spots, blackened edges. In any case, treat the seedling with some antifungal drug. Even if no traces of damage were found.

When the leaves dry after processing, the stalk must be watered in its container. Watering is done by the root so that water does not fall on the leaves. If the container with the balsam cutting is filled with a moist substrate, then the plant is placed in a lighted, well-ventilated place.

Treatment with any growth substance will not interfere with balsam. Epin, for example, Zircon. spraying special means will help the young plant acclimatize faster.

All preparatory procedures have been completed. You can start landing.

Soil and pot for balsams

Beautifully flowering New Guinea varieties love soft and light, breathable and moisture-absorbing soils. The acidity of the substrate is 5.8-6.2.

If you plan to grow balsams in hanging baskets and planters, then add slowly dissolving fertilizers to the pot.

Plant young balsams in small containers. The diameter of the pot is nine to twelve centimeters. Be sure to have drainage holes.

Placement of New Guinea balsam

The plant needs adequate lighting. Balsam New Guinea will not die in the shade. But its decorative effect will suffer. The stems will begin to stretch. Flowering will be small, rare and short. Therefore, it is recommended to put flower pots on the eastern or western windows.

They do not like balsams and tightness. They will be forced to stretch in search of free space. Therefore, it is impossible to put them "on top of each other". The distance between the pots should be sufficient.

Temperature and watering

Balsam New Guinea loves warmth. If the temperature of its environment drops below ten degrees (with a plus), then the plant will die. But balsams easily tolerate summer heat. But they do not like winds and drafts.

In summer, plants are watered often, little by little. Although it all depends on the humidity in the room. If this figure is below forty percent, then watering will have to be done more often.

In winter, it is enough to water balsams once every two weeks. If the humidity in the room is normal. It must be remembered that heating radiators dry out the air. Either put a humidifier or water more often.

How to recognize that the plant is not thirsty and not overwatered? If the leaves are elastic, juicy, do not sag, then everything is in order with balsam. He gets enough water.

Maintaining decorativeness

In order for the flower to retain its attractiveness, periodically wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and cut off dry flowers.

All types of care

The first top dressing is applied only a week after planting. These are ordinary complex fertilizers with a predominance of potassium and an average content of nitrogen. You can feed according to this scheme: watering clean water- watering with fertilizer.

When the buds appear, the number of dressings is reduced. Flowers will bloom faster. Apply fertilizer every third watering. The nitrogen content of fertilizers should be low.

Transfer room balsams New Guinea is carried out every spring. During the period of active growth, pots are chosen with a slightly larger diameter. Peat or mature compost can be added to a soft substrate.

Balcony plants change the soil at the end of summer. At the same time, balsam bushes are placed at a distance of twenty to thirty centimeters from each other.

The plant is deepened into the substrate so that root neck was above the surface of the earth. It needs to be buried. The balsamin may not survive such a transplant.

Reproduction:

New Guinean specimens are propagated by cuttings. planting material prepare like this:

• retreat just below the internode and cut off a healthy stalk;
• remove a few leaves;
• inserted into a light, well-moistened substrate;
• the container is placed in a warm, shaded and draft-free place.

After one and a half to two weeks, roots should appear.

Enemies of balsams

The plant is afraid of waterlogging and overflow. With improper watering, the root collar may rot or root system. Therefore, when transplanting, be sure to leave the neck above the ground. And water the flower when a third of the soil in the pot dries.

New Guinea balsams are very fond of ticks and thrips. The lesion is the first to appear first in the form of sticky white droplets and cobwebs. Then the leaves dry and curl. The buds fall off without blooming.

If the lesion is not severe, then the damaged leaves are cut off, the rest are washed with soapy water. With a significant infection, balsams are treated with acaricidal preparations.

Thrips deform the leaves and flowers of the plant. They twist into tubules. Getting rid of them is more difficult. Balsams are treated with special insecticidal preparations.

Take good care of your New Guinea balsams. And they will delight you with lush and bright flowering.

Balsam New Guinea in height develops up to 30-50 centimeters.

root system powerful, well branched.

Stem strong and thicker than other types of balsams.

Leaves lanceolate up to 5 centimeters wide, with short petioles, reaching a length of up to 10 centimeters. The leaf blades have a serrated edge and prominent recessed veins. The color of the leaves varies from light green to dark green with a burgundy hue.

flowers five-petaled up to 5 centimeters in diameter, with elongated outgrowths on the sides. They bloom alone or in small inflorescences.

After pollination, the flowers form oblong seed boxes, which in the stage of maturity burst from touching them and release their seeds.

Balsam New Guinea Care

Balsams, including the type " New Guinea", enough unpretentious plants. However, in the event of adverse factors, they lose their decorative appearance. As a result, their successful indoor cultivation requires certain conditions to be met.

Landing and soil

Exists big variety varieties of balsam species "New Guinea", which differ appearance: shades of leaves and colors of flowers, stem height. Many of the varieties are suitable for indoor growing.

Compact small and medium varieties are designed for growing in pots, and large high grades best grown in flower beds as garden flowers. However, in the summer, smaller varieties of "touchy" can be planted in open ground or taken out into the street. This causes a good reaction in the form of luxurious flowering.

New Guinea balsam requires a breathable substrate with a loose consistency with a pH level of 5.8-6.2, as well as a layer of drainage.

Pot

Be sure to have drainage holes in the pot. Suitable for a young balsam utensils with a diameter 10-12 centimeters.

Transfer

Due to the rapid development, the balsam loses its decorative effect. after 2 or 3 years. Therefore, adult plants are not subject to transplantation, but to renewal by cuttings.

Young flowers need a transplant, and it can be done at any time of the year, since balsam does not need a dormant period.

Watering

Watering should be moderate, but do not forget that the flower readily absorbs moisture.

When watering, avoid getting water on the lower leaves and excess moisture, which can stagnate and lead to rotting of the roots and leaves.

Air humidity

Humidity in the habitat of the plant should not exceed 60-70% and fall below 40%. In winter, in conditions of increased dryness of the air, it is recommended to spray twice during the day, since a lack of humidity causes the leaves to fall off. You can also use a method such as installing a pot on a pallet with moistened expanded clay.

Thermal regime

New Guinea balsams love a moderately warm atmosphere. within 17-24 degrees Celsius. Sharp temperature changes are highly undesirable, so in the summer houseplant provide outdoor stay only with a stable warm regime, when the temperature at night does not fall below the daytime temperature by more than 5 degrees.

Balsam does not tolerate drafts and even short-term hypothermia

Light mode

Balsam needs enough intense lighting without direct sunlight. Good location - east and west windows.

With insufficient flowering in the cold months of the year, the use of additional lighting with special lamps is recommended.

Wintering

The plant tolerates the winter season well if suitable conditions are created for it:

• Moderate watering;
• Warm room temperature;
• Spraying with a lack of moisture;
• Additional lighting with artificial light.

Reproduction methods

Balsam New Guinea successfully propagated by cuttings. In order to propagate it is used top part plants with multiple nodes. The stalk is placed in water or rooted in wet sand. Root growth occurs within 15-20 days. Then the young flower is planted in a pot with a diameter of 10-12 centimeters. The soil used is universal. Drainage required.

Reproduction from seeds appears to be more in a complicated way due to the risk of low seedling emergence and poor survival of weak seedlings.

Growing from seeds Balsam New Guinea

• Sowing seeds is carried out in a shallow container filled with a peat-based substrate;
• The substrate is moistened;
• The seed container is placed in a warm, windproof place and covered with a film to create the effect of a greenhouse;
• Seeds germinate in 5-8 days;
• After the formation of a pair of leaves on the sprouts, a dive is made;
• Transplantation of young plants into pots is carried out 4-5 weeks after sowing the seeds.

pruning

Trimming balsam - unwanted procedure, since it leads to the formation of keratinized stumps, which violate the whole decorative look. For the purpose of lush branching, young shoots are recommended to be pinched.

Bloom

The "touchy" lacks pronounced periods of flowering and dormancy. It all depends on the state environment. He is able to bloom all year round under appropriate decent conditions of stay.

Summer time is characterized by abundant flowering, and when in an open garden, the New Guinean balsam simply "dunks" in beautiful flowers.

Fertilizer and top dressing

To feed the flower, complex fertilizers with a high content of potassium are used.

The balsam fertilizer mixture should not contain nitrogen, because it leads to a sharp decrease in flowering due to an increase in foliage.

The plant is fed 2 times a month. At the onset of a period of intense flowering, top dressing is reduced to 1 time.

growth rate

Balsam "New Guinea" grows fast enough. It is necessary to ensure that the plant develops not so much in height as in width. When pinching the shoots, the balsam grows densely and becomes decorative.

Lifespan

The duration of active growth and flowering lasts up to 3 years in room conditions, then the plant needs to be cut and planted again.

When grown outdoors, balsam turns into annual plant.

Smell

Balsam flowers do not have a specific smell.

Diseases and pests

Diseases flowers can only be conditioned wrong content:

• Low air humidity leads to leaf fall;
• Exposure to direct sunlight contributes to the yellowing of the leaves;
• Excess moisture in the soil causes root rot;
• The lack of top dressing deprives flowering or causes its scarcity.

To prevent such "domestic" diseases it is necessary to observe careful care of the plant. Usually, the resumption of proper maintenance brings the state of the flower back to normal, except in cases where irreversible processes have occurred, for example, advanced root rot.

Balsam is affected pests. Most often, it is attacked by spider mites, as well as whiteflies and aphids.

The leaves of the plant are recommended to be washed warm water to reduce the risk of uninvited visitors on them. If the disease has already captured the plant, then you will have to use effective chemicals designed specifically to combat certain pests.

New Guinean hybrid varieties balsam stand out brighter outward signs from their relatives: larger flowers and stems. Such differences increase the popularity of breeding these plants.

Florists are especially pleased with the fact that this species is unpretentious in care and develops both indoors and outdoors. garden beds.

A photo

Next you will see a photo of New Guinean Balsam:

Balsam New Guinea (New Guinea Impatiens) is a relatively young hybrid species of the Balsam family, obtained in the 70s of the last century by crossing Hawker's balsam with other flowering species of balsams. This species is distinguished by a compact form of a bush, a strong densely leafy stem and magnificent year-round flowering.

The leaves of the New Guinean balsam are short-petiolate, broadly lanceolate with pronounced veins and small teeth along the edge. Their color can be green and green-burgundy with a reddish or yellow center. Sufficiently large (5-8 cm in diameter) five-petal flowers with a curved long spur, single or collected in loose axillary inflorescences. After pollination, a fruit is formed in place of the flower - an oblong box, which easily opens with a light touch and scatters its small black seeds in all directions.

Balsam New Guinea - varieties

Breeders have bred many hybrids and varieties of New Guinea balsam, which differ in bush height, leaf color, flower color and shape. Many of them are grown indoors.

According to the shape and height of the bush, balsams of this species are conventionally divided into 3 groups:

• the first group is low (up to 20 cm) plants with small flowers grown in small flower pots;
• the second group - sprawling plants of medium height, intended for growing in beautiful hanging pots;
• the third group - plants with strong erect stems that look beautiful in large flowerpots and develop better on fresh air in garden soil planted in groups, singly they do not look so decorative because of the long (up to 90 cm) semi-bare branches.

Balsam New Guinea home care

• Harmony - the varieties of this series have a highly branched compact form, leaves from light green to bronze and rather large flowers with up to 14 colors;
• Divaro - varieties of this series are small bushes with strongly branching stems, green leaves and medium flowers up to 6 colors;
• SunPatiens Spreading White is a compact, variegated series with medium sized white flowers;
• Jungle Rain- hallmark series are pastel colored flowers;
• Rainforest Exotic - a feature of the series is a two-tone color of flowers;
• Macarena - All varieties in this series have spectacular bronze-green leaves and bright orange flowers.

Balsam New Guinea - home conditions

Balsam New Guinea is considered unpretentious and hardy plant, but being in adverse conditions can quickly lose its attractiveness and decorativeness. For a flower to please for a long time beautiful and lush bloom, when growing, it is recommended to adhere to some very simple requirements.

Balsam New Guinea - Lighting

The flower needs good lighting, but without direct sunlight. The ideal location is east or west window sills.

In winter, when the plant needs 14 hours of daylight, it must be artificially illuminated using phytolamps. With insufficient lighting, the shoots will stretch out, the bush will become loose and outwardly not so decorative.

Balsam New Guinea - Temperature

This plant is thermophilic, all year round it needs optimal temperature 18-24C. Many varieties do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature, so they are put outside when the difference between day and night does not exceed 5C. In addition, in winter, balsams must be protected from cold drafts, even with short-term exposure to frosty air, its leaves can freeze slightly.

Balsam New Guinea - Soil

Balsam New Guinea loves nutritious, light, loose and moisture-intensive soil. For growing, a ready-made universal substrate for domestic plants is suitable, in which experienced growers recommend adding expanded clay chips or vermiculite. Drainage is required, it will protect the flower from the destructive stagnation of water.

Balsam New Guinea - Watering and humidity

Balsam should be watered regularly and plentifully, but in no case should water stagnate in flower pot, from its excess, thick and juicy stems can rot. When growing, it is desirable to adhere to a regime in which the soil will always be in a slightly damp state. The ideal air humidity around the plant should be in the range of 50-60%.

Too dry air contributes to the fall of buds and flowers. In winter, in the morning and evening, the leaves of the plant should be sprayed with purified boiled water, if possible without falling on the flowers. You can also increase the humidity if you put the flower pot on a pallet with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

Balsam New Guinea - Fertilizer

Twice a month, the plant needs to be fed with a weakly concentrated solution of fertilizers, in which potassium predominates. Nitrogenous fertilizers are best avoided, as nitrogen promotes accelerated growth of greenery at the expense of lush flowering.

Balsam New Guinea - Transplant

Balsam New Guinea grows rapidly and after 2-3 years loses its compact shape. If the plant is young, then it can be transplanted, but it is better to update the older flower by cuttings. Balsam does not have a dormant period, so it can be transplanted at any time of the year.

Video: Balsam New Guinean. Growing Tips

The flower pot should be a little cramped, which will provide abundant and beautiful bloom. To increase branching, the tops of the shoots are pinched. Pruning is not recommended, because after it there are thick and ugly stumps.

Balsam New Guinea - Reproduction

Balsam New Guinea is easiest to propagate by cuttings. For cuttings take apical shoots with 2-3 internodes. Rooting occurs in wet sand or filtered water within 2-3 weeks. Balsam is also propagated by seeds, but their germination is rather low. In addition, seedlings appear very weak and die on initial stage growing for no reason.

Balsam New Guinea - Pests and Diseases

Balsams are often affected by aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. For prevention, flowers are advised to rinse with warm water. If this procedure does not help, then the plants need to be treated with a special chemical preparation, for example, actellikom. Improper care can cause many diseases, for example, excessive moisture will lead to rotting of the base of the stem and roots.